The magic of light – stained glass in the interior

Why not look at the world through rose-colored glasses? More precisely, through the multicolored prism of the stained glass windows. Stained-glass windows in the interior transform the space, make it festive, refined and perceived as an element of luxury. Stained glass windows, lamps, partitions are sources of incomprehensible magic. Color glare scattered on the walls, play on glass surfaces, give the interior a sublime and uniqueness.

History of Stained Glass

The first stained glass windows were created from small pieces of glass, fastened with metal strips, to their remains, found in Egypt, for more than 5000 years. The reason for such an intricate technology is explained by the fact that mankind has not yet been able to produce glass of the required area.

In Italy, instead of glass in the windows inserted plates of translucent minerals: selenite, alabaster – it protected the room from the hot sun, created a mysterious penumbra. Soon they learned to paint the glass in blue and red, much later – in yellow. Stained-glass windows became an integral part of the architecture of the Gothic cathedrals and for a long time were associated with the majestic story paintings from colored glass. Bright sunbeams broke into a myriad of colored splinters, filling the sparse interior of the cathedrals with unearthly light.

Since then, the bursts of fashion for stained glass windows in the interior have been replaced by oblivion, they have found new uses. Stained-glass windows began to decorate not only windows, but also furniture, doors, lamps, while remaining expensive decorations of palaces and church cathedrals.

Now there is a surge of interest in stained glass, and it is connected, at least, with two reasons:

1. with a high degree of unification in the construction of buildings and decoration of interiors;
2. with progress in the technology of stained glass manufacturing.

Let’s consider, what traditional and new technologies modern manufacturers of stained-glass windows use, and what application they find in decorating modern interiors.

Types of stained glass – from exclusive to democratic

Consider three groups of stained glass:

1. typing;
2. seamless;
3. relief;
4. film.

Recruitment

In the manufacture of stained-glass windows, two technologies are used:

1. Classical
2. Tiffany.

Classic stained-glass windows are made of colored glass, cut exactly according to the sketch, connected together by an H-shaped lead profile. In modern production, brass, copper, aluminum and cupronickel are used instead of harmful lead.

Classic stained-glass windows are characterized by rather thick, bright lines of contours, which correspond to our representations about stained-glass windows from ancient palace or church interiors.Such stained-glass windows are traditionally used in windows, but in the modern interior they decorate partitions, lanterns, wall panels with internal illumination.

The type-making technique also includes the manufacturing of Tiffany stained glass, invented in the 19th century in America. In it, the glasses are also cut out according to the sketch, but they are interconnected differently. Each of the fragments wrapped around the perimeter with a copper foil tape, then the contours are welded together, and a single stained-glass window is formed. The creator of technology, Louis Tiffany, invented a new way of painting glass in the finest shades. In addition, this technique involves the use of special types of glass, textured surfaces, the presence of convex and concave elements, which expands the expressive possibilities.

 A graceful golden outline and new glass painting technologies make it possible to create real works of art. The sunlit Tiffany stained glass windows are the exclusive decor of luxurious interiors. Technique Tiffany is used to decorate windows, ceilings, fixtures.

Seamless

The seamless technologies include:

1. fusing;
2. casting;
3. etching and sandblasting technology

Absolutely new technique of creating stained-glass windows – fusing – was invented quite recently, in Germany, in the 90s of the XX century. Fragments of a stained-glass window are not fastened by a contour skeleton, and sinter at high temperature. The colored parts are laid out on a smooth sheet of glass and kept at a temperature until the colored glass softens and fuses with the substrate and with adjacent elements.

Stained-glass fusing is a fashionable element of the interior, they have unique features: lack of borders, smooth color transitions. They are willingly used in wet rooms, bathrooms, where the stained-glass windows are subjected to oxidation, are incredibly effective in the design of windows. But especially in the technique of fusing used for decorating elements of the interior – lamps, ceiling plafonds, furniture.

Casting is a technology very similar to fusing, but metal contours are used in the production process. They are laid out on a glass substrate, a colored glass is placed in the cell, which, after softening, fills the mold and is firmly sintered with it and the substrate. The picture on the stained-glass windows in the casting technique has a contoured, underlined by metal, which is also appreciated by interior designers. In addition, technology allows you to make certain elements convex.

A special kind of stained glass is a stained glass window made of transparent glass ennobled with etching. Plots of glass are treated with hydrofluoric acid so as to create a matte pattern. Not everyone knows that in the interior design you can use the interesting feature of stained glass in the technique of etching – when illuminated from the end, the matte areas glow from the inside.

A safer technique for applying a matte pattern is sandblasting, although it can not be compared with etching due to its expressiveness and elegance.

Such stained-glass windows are widely used for doors, partitions, in windows and in any elements of interior decor, including – in wet rooms.

Relief

This group includes, first of all, faceted stained-glass windows. They are made of thick clear glass, less often – colored, using a special cut.

Fascet – in fact, thread on the glass, chamfering. This is a complicated technique, requiring a great experience from the master. When the facet is removed along the perimeter of the glass fragment, the sun’s rays are refracted in the faces, scattered by fireworks of bright glare. The cells are joined together by a thin metal frame.

The stained-glass windows in the facet technique are unique with a special inner glow, playing light on the faces, in the interior they are particularly magically transforming the windows. Faceted stained-glass windows are also used for decorating doors, mirrors, accessories.

Film

A very democratic way to create stained glass – film technology. It arose in the 70s of the XX century. On the glass paste a thin transparent film with a colored pattern. The self-adhesive lead circuit is also fixed in the same way.

Film technology has transformed stained glass windows from an element of luxury into an affordable interior decor. Film stained glass gives the glass an extra strength – even if it breaks, the film does not let the fragments fly apart. Modern manufacturers recommend this spectacular, inexpensive technology for self-decoration of doors, furniture, windows, interior doors, small decorative details.

Stained glass in a modern interior

Stained glass windows can decorate the interiors of both classical and modern styles. In the classics and baroque, elegant faceted stained-glass windows and amazingly expensive tiffany, as well as elements made in the etching technique, organically look.

Interiors with antique English or Spanish furniture are nobly complemented by classic stained-glass windows. Artistic, air art deco will be enriched by a ringing texture of stained-glass windows casting or facet. Delicate transitions of the color of the glass mosaic fusing and thin contours of stained-glass casting will add a touch of sentimentality to the interiors in Empire style.

The interior in the bohemian style of the Boho or in the ornate oriental style will “take” the stained-glass windows in the classical technique and with a modern brass or copper frame profile. Loft, unthinkable without the bright elements of luxury, can be effectively decorated with an antique stained glass window in classical technique, and film, in the spirit of paintings by Andy Warhol.

Democratic versions of stained glass in sandblasting or film technology are common in interiors following Scandinavian or Japanese minimalism.

Accessories that determine mood

The stained-glass windows are associated, first of all, with the high windows of the Gothic cathedrals, and what place do they occupy in the modern interior?

Manufacturers have made a lot of efforts to develop new stained glass techniques, so diverse that it is difficult to name the premises, in the interior of which it would be impossible to use stained glass elements.

Consider the most common areas of their application.

The most advantageous stained glass technique in the design of windows. Especially they look spectacular in the windows facing south. It is sunlit and throwing away mysterious color glare, they become the key decorative element of the interior, creating a unique exalted atmosphere.

However, in modern interiors, designers do not confine themselves to established traditions and find new applications for stained glass. They offer illuminated inside the ceiling and ceiling, completely made in the technique of classical stained glass, partitions in different techniques – sandblasting, classical, fusing.

For fences and other decorative elements in the bathroom, the fusing technique, which does not have metal parts and is very durable, is ideal. A democratic alternative, for placement in wet rooms can be considered film stained glass.

In modern interiors stained glass windows are often used unconventional – for decoration of lamps, mirrors, or act as illuminations from within pictures. The stained-glass windows are decorated with furniture doors – strict ornaments in sandblasting techniques or luxurious exclusive drawings inflicted by etching are leading here.

It is desirable that the stained glass motif is repeated three times: in the dominant element, for example, a window or partition, and in one or two, smaller – a lamp, a picture or a frame of a mirror.

The magic atmosphere of happiness

Stained-glass windows have the ability to unrecognizably transform any room.

In the living room, the stained-glass windows bring a sense of celebration, emphasizing at the same time its solidity and originality, and in the bedroom will create a mysterious intimate atmosphere.

The splashes of color glare will fill the children’s room with the magic of a good fairy tale. In the bathroom, the light, passing through the stained glass partitions and reflected from the water, makes you remember the wonderful weeks spent on the ocean coast.

And the hallway? It is worth placing here the bend lighting fixtures, or the illuminated stained-glass panel, and crossing the threshold of the house, you can safely drop all the routine, everyday and rejoice at meeting with close people.

Conclusion

Stained-glass windows in the modern interior design remind of the timeless charm of the classics, give it lightness, airiness and unique chic, create a particularly warm, creative atmosphere in the house.

Photo gallery – stained glass in the interior:

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Author: Mikhail Bond

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